I'm looking to purchase a gift for a person who needs to photograph her jewelry. She is older, and needs something simple to use: something with a good automatic feature and one that will do good closeups. (And under $200!) Any suggestions?
I'm a fan of the Nikon S series cameras for a good macro mode. Have a look through some of my earlier photos (in my first album) and you'll find some I took with a relatively old one.
I have a Canon Elph and I love it. Best p&s I've ever had. The macro is amazing and the screen is huge.
I could have got a much more detailed shot than this, but I was too scared to get any closer! http://365project.org/shutterbugger/365/2011-04-10
@shutterbugger Yikes, I see what you mean! I have a Canon PowerShot SD1200 that I love. The controls on it might be a bit confusing for an older person. Thinking of an older person, maybe having trouble seeing fine print or finding small buttons, what do you think of your Elph? Can you put it in auto mode and sort of forget about everything? Thanks for your input.
@wormentude Rachael, thanks. I've been looking at the s570. I noticed some reviewers complained that it was very slow, not that that would be a real problem for my friend. But I ask you the same questions I asked Jenn, Thinking of an older person, maybe having trouble seeing fine print or finding small buttons, what do you think of your Elph? Can you put it in auto mode and sort of forget about everything?
@ldpaul Does your friend have any idea how to operate a digital camera? I would think you'd be hard pressed to find a camera that had big buttons. Mine would be like anything else, frustrating until you get to know it. The auto mode is very good and it lets you see the point of focus. Not too sure about the price point though. I've had mine for a few years but you could always get an older model online that's within your budget.
@ldpaul - I find that it's slow with one of my memory cards, but not the other, so I guess it's the memory card that's the fault (it's a pretty old one). The buttons aren't the biggest, I manage them OK, but someone with bigger hands may struggle a little. It can be left in auto mode to do whatever but needs macro switching on, as with most cameras.
What about a fully touch screen camera? They tend to have larger buttons I believe since they don't take anything away from the screen.
@shutterbugger@wormentude Thank you both for your helpful advice. I think with a little instruction, my friend would be able to negotiate the Macro setting. She has been using a very old digital compact and I suspect anything newer will be a big help to her. I only worry about the newer cameras that try to be all things to all people and end up with layers and layers of menu's behind a few, tiny buttons. Thanks, again!
I know with my father, he really misses the optical view finder on cameras. He has a hard time seeing the digital screen when outdoors in daylight. You may want to keep it in mind when selecting a camera. Most do not have them, but it is also how they have always used a camera and may be easier and used more if you find one with an optical view finder
Tweets ahoy!
Join the Group
Pin With Me
I could have got a much more detailed shot than this, but I was too scared to get any closer! http://365project.org/shutterbugger/365/2011-04-10
What about a fully touch screen camera? They tend to have larger buttons I believe since they don't take anything away from the screen.
hope it helps :)